Daily Archives: April 1, 2012

After a fun little surprise with the 6th pick of the 2012 BTSC Community Mock Draft, we’ve now got one that seems to be a bit more predictable with the 7th pick! Thanks go to Ben Balesverger for the work. Next up: Miami Dolphins, and they’ll be appropriately represented by MiamiSteelersFan. -barnerburner-

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I have spent some time watching mock drafts and the seventh pick for the Jaguars. The first “concern” for many Jaguars fans is that the player the FO picks doesn´t fall into the category of a “reach”, in other words the player chosen deserves the pick “allocated” talent mostly in the minds of the press, tv etc.

In this case, the Jaguars have several primary options:1.- Quinton Coples: a UNC pass rusher2.- Trent Richardson: a Bama RB in that case not so necesary as MoJo still is in great shape3.- Michael Floyd: kinda reminds me of when the Steelers drafted Plaxico

To a lesser degree, the boards take Fletcher Cox/Chandler Jones – both Jason Pierre-Paul type of player or a 4-3 DE.

Other options are to trade down and get more picks, for example, with Miami if they want Tannehill so bador with a team that wants to go up and give a great ransom for the 7th pick.

I’ve got to go with logic and the BPA with need. I like the player´s work ethic and focus, in addition to the ferocity he has on the field.

Friday’s edition of PFT Live needs your help. After Mike Florio talks Steelers with Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he’s throwing things open to all the members of PFT Planet for questions and thoughts to discuss before the weekend comes. Anything and everything can be brought up so get ready for your moment in…

It is being reported on Profootballtalk.com that the USFL, the pro football league from the 1980’s that unsuccessfully tried to compete with the NFL, is coming back and will act more as a minor league for the NFL this time around. The new USFL is going to have teams in cities that do not have pro football or baseball, and according to their website, they will be competing in the spring, starting in 2013.

As stated in the article linked above, each player will receive $ 3000-$ 3500 a game, and the players will not be obligated to stay with their team if the NFL comes calling.

This kind of reminds me of a domestic version of NFL Europe, only the league isn’t affiliated with the NFL in any way. I think a sort of minor league system that pays its players fairly well is a good deal. $ 3000 a week isn’t a bad chunk of change for playing football, especially if a kid is just out of college and looking for a job. And if a player is allowed to leave for the NFL anytime he wants, I think it’s a no-lose situation.

There are literally hundreds of football players walking around who can’t find an NFL job for one reason or another, and this would be a way for them to stay in shape and continue to develop their skills while playing professional football.

As a football junkie, I’m always willing to give any football league a chance. However, the catch 22 of this whole thing is trying to get people to pay attention to a league that is designating itself as a minor league and isn’t directly competing with the NFL. The old USFL was clearly trying to compete with the NFL, and they were able to convince players like Mike Rozier, Steve Young, Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie to sign with their teams instead of heading to the NFL right out of college.

Also, the old USFL placed franchises in established NFL cities like Pittsburgh and the New York market, and some teams had high-profile owners like Donald Trump.

How will the new USFL be received in cities like, say, Omaha or Portland?

Obviously, the jury is still out as to whether or not this new upstart league will even get off the ground, but what do you think about minor league pro football in the spring? Would you be willing to give it a chance?

Any memories of the old USFL that you’d like to share? Remember the Pittsburgh Maulers?

A quick post to let everyone know that you can now buy official licensed Nike Pittsburgh Steelers apparel as well as the new line of Steelers New Era hats as of today. Nike announced that they will be unveiling their new designs for all the NFL uniforms on Tuesday. According to reports, most teams uniforms won’t see a major change, though Nike did push for the freedom to make over the NFL’s uniforms, similar to what they’ve done in the NCAA with teams this past season.

The new official Nike team jerseys will be available for sale on 4/15 on NFLShop and the online Official Team Stores. Read more […]

Scott Brown is reporting today that the Steelers have brought in free agent tackle Demetrius Bell and former Stanford long snapper Zachary Nolan for visits today. In addition, the Steelers are hosting Miami (Ohio) guard Brandon Brooks down at the Southside facilities for a pre draft visit

Bell was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 7tgh round of the 2008 NFL draft out of Northwestern State. While with the Bills Bell played left tackle and was coached in 2009 by current Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler. He started just 6 games for the Bills in 2011.

By Christopher DiMarino
After analyzing the 1st round pick from a positional standpoint, the next logical step was to investigate the players at each of those position. Below I compiled the average drafting position according to a few mock drafts for the main Steelers 1st round possibilities. This group includes 3 Defensive Tackles (Fletcher Cox, Devon Still and Jerel Worthy), 4 Offensive Lineman (Mike Adams, Cordy Glenn, Jonathan Martin and Peter Konz), 1 Linebacker (Dont’a Hightower) and 1 Defensive Back (Mark Barron). The notable omissions from this study were either projected to go much earlier Read more […]

Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that the Steelers aren’t in a position to become serious bidders for OT Demetrius Bell. Pittsburgh has some cap space to work with ($ 5.8 million according to recent NFL Team Cap Space numbers), but they may need that depending on what happens with WR Mike Wallace who has yet to sign his restricted free agent tender. Bell will meet with the Eagles at some point today and considering the recent loss of Jason Peters, they would figure to be one of the top suitors for him. Source: NFL Trade Rumors Attached Thumbnails

Ed Bouchette from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joins PFT Live to talk Steelers offseason including who was really behind the replacement of former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, whether Mike Wallace will be a Steeler in 2012 and how they’ll move on without Hines Ward.